GREEN LIGHT – Dina Lyons and Jim Hill celebrated rotaries at Hole #6 of the Strokes of Genius mini-golf course on Main Street, Hyannis in 2009. They’ll be back this summer with the theme “Marine Life.”

Manifest: to show or plainly reveal.

In the town of Barnstable, there is manifesting a beautiful and loving example of what a small group of like-minded individuals can create right in a town center. We are referring to the upcoming “Strokes of Genius” mini-golf course, which will open at the end of the month for its second year here on Main Street, Hyannis.

I have to say I am lucky to be involved in such a purely good event that benefits our entire community. Think of something that is fun, clever, historic, great for business and makes money that will support the learning of the children in our town. Think of the type of people it takes to put together a nine-hole mini-golf course comprised of handmade, Cape-themed artwork outdoors on an empty lot on Main Street in the summer and promote and staff the course for nine hours a day, seven days a week, for 45 days in the busiest part of the year. The dedicated volunteer group that runs the Barnstable Education Foundation, BEF, works all year long to gear up for this fundraiser that is about as time-intensive as building a house with found objects.

Last year, Strokes of Genius made $25,000 from 5,000 visitors. All the money goes to the school programs that are not supported by tax dollars.

Earlier this week I chaperoned a 3rd grade Centerville Elementary field trip to the canal. I went because I know field trips are memory makers. I can report that children enthusiastically respond to hands-on, out-of-the-ordinary activities; these are the extras that inspire their imaginations.

The “Strokes of Genius” fund-raising event will be open from June 29 to Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Main near Ocean Street in Hyannis. You must bring your family and friends there this summer.

The BEF is looking for volunteers who would like to staff the course, and businesses or families who would like to sponsor a hole ($200) or bench ($100). Please contact the BEF President, Sheila Burns, at 508-420-2067 for more information.